Why do some religions feel the need to "convert" people?

That’s exactly my point. You can’t compare wanting to tell people about their favorite movie to religion because it’s Not The Same.

It’s was just a saying. Trying to paint the picture, then I went one to explain it from a different view point. That of a sociologist. Now let me attempt to answer it from a philosophizers point of view; I have to do what is right for me, and doing what I have to do is also doing what I want to do. So lets say my religion (which I want to follow) has the rules that I HAVE to go doorknocking, where does want end and having begin or are they one and the same?

What’s your point? Science is a way of finding the best explanations we can for things. The fact that explanations can and do turn out to be wrong, and get replaced with better explanations is a point in its favor, not to its detriment. Religion makes statements that can’t be disproven if wrong, and make no useful predictions. Science, on the other hand, makes testable, disprovable theories,

Thank you for tell me what I learned in the third grade. I didn’t say I had issues with science. I am a med student..As in I don’t know, science. I know how it works, and really, even religion can be broken down to a scientific matter. Cause and effect. IE: Every time (and I have made notes on this) I turn my back or just..forget about God, as in not having him in my mind as much as I feel I should, I get really lost, my cars break down, I have no drive (no pun intended) and well a host of different little but very annoying things tend to happen. So cause (I lose a bit of faith) effect (life goes haywire) Science.

which is a far better way of looking at the world.

That’s an opinion not a fact.

The fact that you, in the same post, both tell me to shut up and tell me I can’t do the same to you is priceless.

I never said you couldn’t do the same thing as me. And I never said shut up. Don’t turn a debate into something juvenile. If you don’t want to bee to sting you stay out of it’s honey. If something in my life was annoying to me, I would walk away. But you’re right, I cant tell you how to deal.

Also, freedom of speech means you have the right to say what you wish (within certain restrictions), {{Now you’re getting into cultures and social norms way different topic)) but it doesn’t mean that others have to listen, or that it’s a valid argument.

Again, I never said that my arguments are valid, or that you have to listen, I just said that the right is there. If I felt like running around saying I would follow a rock because its my god and I come up with logical or even illogical reasons for doing so, then well..That’s my RIGHT, it might not make it true, but I’m allowed my opinions and beliefs and all that anyways.

It also doesn’t apply on private forums like this one - the moderators here are free to remove anything they feel like, without having to justify it under freedom of speech.

You stay in someones house you play by their rules. This has nothing to do with freedom of speech, but by having respect. So I have no idea why you would even try to state someone like this.

Again you miss the point. My exact words were ‘Unlike beliefs, they [scientific theories] make testable predictions, and they can be disproven.’ The fact that scientific theories can be disproven is, again, a point in their favor - it means that if we’re wrong, we’ll know, instead of the false certainty of religious belief.

I missed the point because you worded it wrong. And saying a “false certainty.” is again an opinion .Just because I might be wrong, doesn’t make you right and vise versa. and yeah, let me have my faith because really, how does it hurt you?

Wednesday before Easter, our church is going around town with 600 “family to family” door hanger packets ordered from the International Bible Society cataloge with a gift card inside, a tract of John and description of our church (who we are, location, and times for Sunday School and worship, etc.) We did the same thing last year with adults and the youth participating in distributing 300 and have had new people come. It is easy to recognize newcomers from a town with a pop of 6000 and our church is about 270.

Statistics show that 51% in your town don’t have a home church they attend regularly.

We ring the bell and ask the people inside if they have a home church that they attend regularly, and if not we invite them to Zion. If no one is home, the packet is left on the doorknob. Simple, no pressure, move to the next house. They are 99c apiece, and if one person comes… priceless!

Christians and others that believe that others should “convert” believe that they have the truth, and their degree of belief in that truth mandates that they tell others. Though some (JWs) actually believe it’s part of good works that they have to do to earn Heaven, a majority of those that evangelize do so because they truly are spreading a message that people need to hear.

I do think that some of it is going too far, like knocking on people’s doors. but it all comes down to if you have the best news in the world that you know is going to save people’s lives, you want them to know right? If you found the cure to AIDS tomorrow, are you going to be selfish and keep it to yourself or are you going to let the world know? I agree, there is ways of going about it, and going to people’s houses is not one of them. I think they should, rather, appeal to people and make the news attraction to people to where they want to know more and they wont have to knock people over the head with it. The news is so good, people will want to know more. but that’s why, as far as me anyway. Jesus is the best thing that ever happened to me and I want other people to let Him do for them what He did for me. He’ll change everything and make it all work together for your good!

In short: Because no religion survives without believers, and the only way you get believers is by converting people.

“Well say you saw a great movie or book or what have you. Wouldn’t you want to share that info?”

Yes, but I’m not going to go doorknocking to tell people about how awesome my favorite movie is.

“Now heres one for you; How come it’s ok for scientist and such believers to sprout their belifes but the second a religious person opens their mouth they get tarred?”

I can’t speak for everyone, obviously, but that’s hardly the case. It’s when people try to use a religious viewpoint to justify dismissing some scientific theory or evidence that people (rightly) get annoyed.

Second, scientists don’t “sprout their beliefs” when talking about science - scientific theories aren’t beliefs, they’re explanations of the way something works, based on solid evidence. Unlike beliefs, they make testable predictions, and they can be disproven.

because the works process is a tenant of their faith. personally the word says unless he calls them they cannot come. They will know we are Christians by our Love. So most of the church is not exactly following the plan, or they are follow to the best of their abilities. Thats why we need Jesus, he did it all. and we are benefactors of his plan.

“I have to do what is right for me, and doing what I have to do is also doing what I want to do. So lets say my religion (which I want to follow) has the rules that I HAVE to go doorknocking, where does want end and having begin or are they one and the same?”

That’s complete nonsense. Let’s say my religion says rules that I HAVE to kill anyone who disagrees with me. That suddenly makes it right? The fact that you believe something doesn’t exempt you from the social norms of anything else. What your religion tells you to do is not a valid argument that it’s okay to do it.

“IE: Every time (and I have made notes on this) I turn my back or just..forget about God, as in not having him in my mind as much as I feel I should, I get really lost, my cars break down, I have no drive (no pun intended) and well a host of different little but very annoying things tend to happen. So cause (I lose a bit of faith) effect (life goes haywire) “

That’s not science, it’s anecdote. And the plural of anecode is “anecdotes”, not “data”.

“The fact that you, in the same post, both tell me to shut up and tell me I can’t do the same to you is priceless.

I never said you couldn’t do the same thing as me. And I never said shut up. Don’t turn a debate into something juvenile. “

What you did was simultaneously suggest that ‘we’ should “stop posting this sort of question” and call freedom of speech on your own comments. You can’t have it both ways: Either we both have a right to participate in the discussion or neither of us do.

“If I felt like running around saying I would follow a rock because its my god and I come up with logical or even illogical reasons for doing so, then well..That’s my RIGHT, it might not make it true, but I’m allowed my opinions and beliefs and all that anyways.”

I’m not debating that - believe what you want - but if you want people to give any credence to what you say, it helps if you make sense.

“You stay in someones house you play by their rules. This has nothing to do with freedom of speech, but by having respect. So I have no idea why you would even try to state someone(sic) like this.”

Because you raised freedom of speech. I was merely pointing out that the concept doesn’t apply here, in a private forum.

“I missed the point because you worded it wrong. “

Don’t blame me for your comprehension. What I said was:

“Unlike beliefs, [scientific theories] make testable predictions, and they can be disproven.”

Seems pretty clear to me.

And as a courtesy, can you please, please use quotes when you quote someone? It’s really hard to separate out what you’re writing from what you’re quoting if you don’t.

Go into all the world and teach the Good News! That is the Great Commission, it is a passion for all who do know Christ for others to know Him and what He has done in our lives. That is called evangelism, and yes, I know of many evangelistic churches who have given that connotation a bad wrap.

The more we study, the more we want to know. God gives us an insatiable appetite ( a hunger and thirst for righteousness) to KNOW Him. May our reach for Him always exceed our grasp. Even in heaven, throughout eternity, we will always learn something amazing about God.

Can anyone fathom His Grace?

Yes, but I’m not going to go doorknocking to tell people about how awesome my favorite movie is.

Well that’s you. Its a rule to a lot of religions that you HAVE to talk to people about it. We’re all products of our environment, we all follow the social norms of our sub-cultures. So, if people (religious) just stopped knocking on your door and therefore went against everything they were raise to be (no matter your view on it) then well, we’d have more strife than we do now. It’s sociology 101. Science really =)

“It’s when people try to use a religious viewpoint to justify dismissing some scientific theory or evidence that people (rightly) get annoyed.”

That’s your opinion. You’re in no way obligated to care what other people believe. Hell, no one even asked. You get so annoyed by religious people and their faith. Then stop doing stuff like I don’t know, posting this sort of question? I can’t pretend to know everything and I wouldn’t want too. That’s where faith comes in. Oh and remember way back when all the scientist thought that the atom was the smallest thing ever? Yeah, hmmm until they split it open and all kinds of crap came out. The Pope is suppose to be infallible, scientist are not. Oh and FYI: The United State Congress gives me the right to use whatever I want to dissmiss anything I want. It’s called freedom of speech. Google it. I aint lying.

Second, scientists don’t ‘sprout their beliefs’ when talking about science - scientific theories aren’t beliefs, they’re explanations of the way something works, based on solid evidence. Unlike beliefs, they make testable predictions, and they can be disproven.

Sorry maybe I should have used a different word. Like um..opinions or theorys..And as we all know, theory isn’t always right, its just a starting point. and I dont argue everything when it comes to science. Please I’m a med-student.

It’s funny how you speak of faith and religion being able to be ‘disproven,’ really funny, because no one has been able to do it so far. =) I think Mr.Science would have you re-do your theseus.

twigy: Wow, you managed to miss every single point I made.

“Yes, but I’m not going to go doorknocking to tell people about how awesome my favorite movie is.

Well that’s you. Its a rule to a lot of religions that you HAVE to talk to people about it. We”

That’s exactly my point. You can’t compare wanting to tell people about their favorite movie to religion because it’s Not The Same.

“Oh and remember way back when all the scientist thought that the atom was the smallest thing ever? Yeah, hmmm until they split it open and all kinds of crap came out. The Pope is suppose to be infallible, scientist are not.”

What’s your point? Science is a way of finding the best explanations we can for things. The fact that explanations can and do turn out to be wrong, and get replaced with better explanations is a point in its favor, not to its detriment. Religion makes statements that can’t be disproven if wrong, and make no useful predictions. Science, on the other hand, makes testable, disprovable theories, which is a far better way of looking at the world.

“You get so annoyed by religious people and their faith. Then stop doing stuff like I don’t know, posting this sort of question? I can’t pretend to know everything and I wouldn’t want too. That’s where faith comes in. … Oh and FYI: The United State Congress gives me the right to use whatever I want to dissmiss anything I want. It’s called freedom of speech. Google it. I aint lying.”

The fact that you, in the same post, both tell me to shut up and tell me I can’t do the same to you is priceless. Also, freedom of speech means you have the right to say what you wish (within certain restrictions), but it doesn’t mean that others have to listen, or that it’s a valid argument. It also doesn’t apply on private forums like this one - the moderators here are free to remove anything they feel like, without having to justify it under freedom of speech.

“It’s funny how you speak of faith and religion being able to be ‘disproven,’ really funny, because no one has been able to do it so far. =)”

Again you miss the point. My exact words were “Unlike beliefs, they [scientific theories] make testable predictions, and they can be disproven.” The fact that scientific theories can be disproven is, again, a point in their favor - it means that if we’re wrong, we’ll know, instead of the false certainty of religious belief.

“I didn’t say it was right? In any of this have I stated that dorrknocking or offing people was right OR wrong? No I havent.”

It looked to me like you were using the mandate of a given religion as justification for why it’s okay to doorknock, etc, not merely as a reason why people do it. I’m sorry if I misinterpreted.

“It still falls under sciences and I never named it data…I like how you’re putting words on my key board with your every post.”

No, drawing a conclusion based on a few personal experiences is not science.

“ I was never saying there are not rules. Everything has rules, yet since I or no one else here are doing anything to violate anyone then it’s a moot point.”

Then what exactly was your point when you raised the right to free speech in the first place?

“Hey if I didn’t want to read what you had to say, I just wouldnt reply.”

You seem to have no trouble not reading what I say anyway.

“Umm you didn’t add the [scientific theories] in there the first time. So it would stand to reason that you were speaking of the subject which would appear to be beliefs.”

I replaced ‘they’ with ‘scientific theories’ to indicate the context. Since you insist, here’s the whole paragraph:

“Second, scientists don’t ‘sprout their beliefs’ when talking about science - scientific theories aren’t beliefs, they’re explanations of the way something works, based on solid evidence. Unlike beliefs, they make testable predictions, and they can be disproven.”

Clearly there’s no way I could be claiming that beliefs can be disproven in a sentence that starts with “Unlike beliefs…”.

“That’s complete nonsense. Let’s say my religion says rules that I HAVE to kill anyone who disagrees with me. That suddenly makes it right? The fact that you believe something doesn’t exempt you from the social norms of anything else. What your religion tells you to do is not a valid argument that it’s okay to do it.”

I didn’t say it was right? In any of this have I stated that dorrknocking or offing people was right OR wrong? No I havent. I bet you don’t even know what I believe. I just said that it is and why the people feel the need to do it. You asked remember?

“That’s not science, it’s anecdote. And the plural of anecode is ‘anecdotes’, not ‘data’.”

It still falls under sciences and I never named it data…I like how you’re putting words on my key board with your every post.

“What you did was simultaneously suggest that ‘we’ should ‘stop posting this sort of question’ and call freedom of speech on your own comments. You can’t have it both ways: Either we both have a right to participate in the discussion or neither of us do.”

Not I didn’t. Are you just trying to pick a fight or are you not realizing what you’re doing? I said if you dont want to hear it then dont start it. Hey if I didn’t want to read what you had to say, I just wouldnt reply. I can also say, if the people who feel the need to convert people dont want the door slammed in their face then they shouldnt go door knocking. It’s not that hard to get. In the end, it’s really your choice to post/talk or anything on this subject and be annoyed all you want. I was just wondering why you’d bother.

“I’m not debating that - believe what you want - but if you want people to give any credence to what you say, it helps if you make sense.”

Well yeah, I was never saying otherwise.

“Because you raised freedom of speech. I was merely pointing out that the concept doesn’t apply here, in a private forum.”

I was never saying there are not rules. Everything has rules, yet since I or no one else here are doing anything to violate anyone then it’s a moot point.

Don’t blame me for your comprehension. What I said was:

Unlike beliefs, [scientific theories] make testable predictions, and they can be disproven.”

Umm you didn’t add the [scientific theories] in there the first time. So it would stand to reason that you were speaking of the subject which would appear to be beliefs. I was going all on assumption there. And there’s no reason to get up in arms about anything.

“And as a courtesy, can you please, please use quotes when you quote someone? It’s really hard to separate out what you’re writing from what you’re quoting if you don’t.”

Sure I’ll use quotes if you stop using the underscore like it’s going out of style.

If a person has information that would save you from certain disaster/heartache, would you not want them to tell you and save you from that terrible fate so you wouldn’t have to suffer ? - I know I would !!

PEACEMAKIN’s comment about them being brainwashed made me smile. I swear the Mormons I spoke to recently sounded brainwashed. they were like robots coming out with the same answers they’ve been taught to say. they couldn’t answer everything I talked to them about. it was kinda funny cause when they didn’t know the answer they looked at each other and tried to aviod the answer with another robot answer, LOL.

spreading the news is one things, but knocking on strangers doors and pushing them into a religion they don’t want to be a part of is another thing completely.

I think making sure they convert people so their religion doesn’t run out of people and die out is part of the reason.

btw I’ve only ever heard of mormons and jehovah’s witnesses coming round people’s doors. no other religions?

Go into all the world and teach the Good News! That is the Great Commission, it is a passion for all who do know Christ for others to know Him and what He has done in our lives. That is called evangelism, and yes, I know of many evangelistic churches who have given that connotation a bad wrap.

The more we study, the more we want to know. God gives us an insatiable appetite ( a hunger and thirst for righteousness) to KNOW Him. May our reach for Him always exceed our grasp. Even in heaven, throughout eternity, we will always learn something amazing about God.

Can anyone fathom the extent of His Grace?

Well say you saw a great movie or book or what have you. Wouldn’t you want to share that info?

I have a right to give my opinion just like anyone else. If someone doesnt want to hear it, then they can just walk away.

Now heres one for you; How come it’s ok for scientist and such believers to sprout their belifes but the second a religious person opens their mouth they get tarred?

Because they care.

So they can get money from your donations. Other than that I don’t really know…

Watch and listen to these videos: Godtube–“What if you had no more excuses?” And “99 balloons.”

they feel like they are helping you.

they are called Jehovah Witnesses. their part is to convert people so that the person that converted them apparently “did a good deed” and is rewarded by going to heaven.

The Lord wants us to share His Word.

Matthew 28:19-20- if you dont have a bible look under my BST

They want to help you cause to them its the right religion,,,

my question is why does it bother you so much that people are trying to help